#ArtPH - Vien Valencia: Turning Life’s Challenges into Art That Connects

Vien Valencia’s journey as an artist is anything but ordinary. As a recipient of the 2024 Thirteen Artists Award from the Cultural Center of the Philippines, he’s not just making waves in the art world—he’s also inspiring others to see life’s challenges as opportunities for deeper connection and creativity.

Valencia’s story began with painting at the University of the Philippines, but his curiosity and evolving perspective soon led him to explore new materials and approaches. For him, art isn’t just about technique; it’s about expanding one’s view of life, people, and space. He recalls skipping classes to teach painting to children at the Sunken Garden, finding that these moments taught him more about life and connection than any classroom could.

This sense of connection is at the heart of his upcoming project for the Thirteen Artists Award exhibit at the National Museum of Fine Arts. Valencia will create a durational drawing—a single white line tracing the paths between the 21 homes he’s lived in. Each fragile line across asphalt and concrete tells a story of movement, resilience, and the search for belonging. Growing up, his family moved often, and these experiences sparked his fascination with the relationship between people and the spaces they inhabit.

Valencia’s art doesn’t shy away from social issues. His award-winning piece “your age, my age, and the age of the river” was created in collaboration with the Dumagat-Remontado indigenous group, highlighting the environmental and cultural threats posed by the construction of the Kaliwa Dam. Through projects like this, he uses art to document, question, and deepen our understanding of the world around us.

For Valencia, inspiration comes from life’s misadventures. He encourages young artists to always carry questions with them, letting curiosity lead the way. His practice is a continuous response to the ever-changing landscape of society, always seeking new ways to connect and learn.

As he prepares to exhibit alongside other talented artists, Valencia remains grounded and grateful. For him, the true reward is not just the recognition, but the chance to share space and ideas with fellow creatives who are just as passionate about pushing the boundaries of art.

Vien Valencia’s story is a reminder that art is more than just a product—it’s a journey of curiosity, resilience, and connection. Through his work, he invites us all to look a little closer, ask more questions, and find inspiration in the everyday twists and turns of life. 

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